Most Updated Real Estate Searching (Timely Updates - How To)

Did you know they update the MLS database throughout the day? You can manually search updated listings here: 'Chicago Real Estate Search' or 'Chicago MLS', like all the other websites out there.

BUT...

The truth is these websites are not updated as quickly as a real estate agents MLS access (normally delayed a day or 2 or 3!). So... the bottom line is the BEST method is to have us set you up with an automated search directly from the MLS that will send you any updates via email twice a day - or more - (morning and evening). If this is of interest to you simply drop us an email or phone call with your criteria and we'll set everything up. It's really the only way to keep up with the newest listings in a timely manner.

Have a great day!

Brian & Scott
TeamIllinoisRealEstate.com
RE/MAX Grand
info@illinoisrealestate.com

Open House List

I was recently was ask if looking in the newspaper was the best way to find open houses. Answer: Well maybe in the early 1990's... With today's Realtor technology it is much more efficient to utilize the MLS for a precise list of open houses in the area and criteria you are focusing on. If you would like a list of scheduled open houses simply email me at brian@illinoisrealestate.com with your home search criteria or feel free to call me direct anytime at 312-217-8002.

Chicago Real Estate Forum Extended Discussion About Chicago Open Houses. Hope to see you there!

What's In, What's Out with Homebuyers in 2007

IN

-The housing correction.
-Homes that are priced right.
-Online home valuation sites (Zillow.com). (Brian says: So will be out soon IMHO)
-Market timing.
-Savvy buyers.
-Third places or officetels.
-Upscale garages.
-Caving.
-Two home offices.
-Rejuvenation rooms.
-Heated patios, walkways and driveways.
-Snoring rooms.
-Modular Housing.
-Sustainable Design.
-Structured wiring.
-Mixing finishes on kitchen base and wall cabinets.

OUT

-"As is" in home sale marketing.
-Buyer incentives.
-Endless Open Houses.
-Over-full-price offers.
-Bedrooms not large enough for a bed.
-Loads of glass upper kitchen cabinet doors.
-Bowl-shaped above-counter bathroom sinks.
-Any shiny metal finish.
-Stainless-steel refrigerators and dishwashers are a fading trend.
-Spiral staircases.

On the way out
-Bamboo floors.
-Hardwood laminate floors.
-Home sellers who smoke in their home while it is being marketed.

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Source: What's In, What's Out with Homebuyers in 2007 by Mark Nash is based on a survey of 923 real estate agents, managing brokers and association executives who responded to a survey request in Agent to Agent ezine, published by Mark Nash.

Link (copy & paste): http://www.rateempire.com/mortgage/12_06_06/news71164.html

Discussion: http://www.illinoisrealestate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32 - What is your opinion on what's in and out for 2007?

Brian Nygard

She’s Heard it All

Laugh While You Learn! She’s Heard it All and So Should You: Edith Lank, Nationally Syndicated Real Estate Columnist, Shares Funniest Letters from Readers

Lank answers her readers’ questions with humor and patience, providing a wealth of knowledge in bite-sized, digestible answers. Following are a few examples of readers’ questions:

“…please send all information on how to sell our home without using a “realator.” I think you call it being a FSOB…”

“I would appreciate any information on Fanny Mae. Also if she has any books out…”

“Would adding extra to our mortgage payment save us money in the long run? If so, should we pay extra on principal, interest or escrow?”

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Source: http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20061211005802&newsLang=en

Discussion: Post your comments

The Hulksters Mansion Is Now Off The Market - But Let Me Know If You Want Me To Call Him Anyways...

"The pack is back

Hulk Hogan garnered a lot of media attention when he put his Belleair, Fla., mansion on the market, asking $25 million. Now the home is off the market, according to the wrestler-turned-TV star.

Hogan told the St. Petersburg Times his family had bought a $12 million home in the Miami area to live in while he taped his show, "Hogan Knows Best" but said his family had decided to return to Belleair.

The neighbors are groaning. Before the Miami move, the family had been embroiled with local officials over the menagerie in the house: six dogs, two cats, three French hens (no, I'm not making this up) and 11 other birds, two toxic frogs (see previous note), five tortoises, two chinchillas, two ferrets, two iguanas, two rabbits and a rooster named Lilly.

Eventually, a court found the Hogans in compliance with laws that limit the number of animals in a household, though Hogan managed to hang on to a few extras by getting them designated as "actors," as opposed to pets."

Source (copy & paste address): http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/realestate/chi-0612100288dec10,0,5034814.column?coll=chi-classifiedrealestate-hed

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If you are still interested let me know, I sure I can arrange a showing for you. Brian Nygard

Searching For Real Estate, Try Requesting a "Hot Sheet"

The “Hotsheet” (not "hot seat" per image) is an easy way to keep informed of what is going on in the local real estate market. By specifying a certain time frame you can track sales, adjustments in prices and additions or expirations in listings. The “Hotsheet” generates an up to the minute report for all new and changed listings for today or for a period of time prior to today (Days Back). Let me repeat, THIS REPORT IS UP TO THE MINUTE! It is generated directly from the Northern Illinois MLS that real estate agents have access to.

So if you are tired of missing out on the new listings or ever wondered why you find out about the “new” listings 2 or 3 days late, this is the answer. There is no fee for this service and no strings attached so feel free to test what I’m telling you, simply email me at brian.nygard@remax.net. I will have this report back to you within minutes.

Simply email me with the following:

1. Area(s) of Interest
2. Price Range
3. Type if property (Condo, Single Family, etc)
4. Number of days back (i.e. Today’s changes, all changes in the past 1, 2, 3 etc).

You'll get to see (UP TO THE MINUTE):

1. All New Listings
2. Price Changes
3. Cancelled Listings
4. Closed Listings
5. Expired Listings
6. Pending Listings

We can run this report anytime (and multiple times) during the day. If you have any questions simply ask!

Or search manually by map, login required, but you can setup search savers and add favorites etc: Chicagoland Map Search

Search with no login required here: Chicagoland Search

Sincerely,

Brian Nygard
brian@illinoisrealestate.com
312-217-8002
RE/MAX Grand
TeamIllinoisRealEstate.com

Another Reason To Buy

"Did apartment finder cut into rival's business?
Agent accused of slashing tires on competitor's vehicles"

As I mentioned at YOChicago, "What's next "Real Estate Death Matches?"… First Up Apartment People Vs. Apartment Finders anything goes!"

Discussion here: http://www.illinoisrealestate.com/forum/showthread.php?p=51#post51

Read the article here: http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/164944,CST-NWS-tires08.article

"Bare Bones Discounts in Chicago"

I recentely read an ariticle or wait was it an ad on an blog intitled, "Bare Bones Discounts in Chicago".

Basically my comment was:

"“Discount brokerage as low as $350″ - I’ve seen more and more adds of real estate agents doing this, but not exactly sure how I feel about it from a Realtor’s prespective. I did this once and it seemed to me much more of a headache then what it’s worth. Believe me it’s not exactly handsfree. I felt kind of like I was putting my name and broker’s rep out there and at risk so I got involved anyway. For one the selling agents will call you and then you feel somewhat like a jerk having to explain the situation. Also when I run into these when working with biuyers i always say to my self, ah come on already, this sucks!"

What do you all think about these "Flat Fee MLS" / "Hands Free" lisitngs? I'd be interested in hearing opinions from different points of view (Realtors, Brokers, Attorneys, Buyers, Sellers, etc) - Please visit the discussion here:

http://www.illinoisrealestate.com/forum/showthread.php?p=50#post50

It's not the bells and whistles...

A 2007 Ford Focus doesn't look like a carrot, but Cindy Buchholz hoped it would be the bait that attracted buyers to her $800,000 home.

The real estate agent's house had sat on the market for five months when she decided in mid-October to add an incentive in the form of a Focus valued at $18,000 to $20,000. She told a friend who works at a car dealership to expect an order for the vehicle as soon as she sold the house, on Eddie Drive in Glen Ellyn.

But after buyers failed to bite for a month, Buchholz peeled the car incentive off of her offer and lowered her asking price to $775,000. Her home sold within weeks.

Read Entire Article / Source:
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/ article By: Paige Winfield, Staff writer
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I've heard about luxury cars as incentives, but a Ford Focus? What about the one where the seller had a car to give to the agent that sold his house, kind of hard to split that one 80/20 with your broker.